RIP President George H.W. Bush

President George H.W. Bush was a gentleman of reserve and distinction. Rest in peace Mr. President.

HOUSTON, Texas (Oct. 22, 2012) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) meet their ship’s namesake during an office visit with former President George H.W. Bush during Houston Navy Week 2012. Houston Navy Week is one of 15 Navy Weeks planned across America this year. Navy Weeks are intended to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. The U.S. Navy has a 237-year heritage of defending freedom and projecting and protecting U.S. interests around the globe. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Carlson/Released) 121022-N-NT881-005

Mr. Bush served as U.S. president from 1989 to 1993. He was in office during the end of the Cold War and led America to a decisive victory in the first Persian Gulf War.

His death was announced late Friday by his son, George W. Bush, who followed in his footsteps to become America’s 43rd president in 2001. “George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could hope for,” he said.

President Trump said Mr. Bush inspired generations of Americans to public service. “Along with his full life of service to country, we will remember President Bush for his devotion to family—especially the love of his life, Barbara,” he said in a statement with first lady Melania Trump.

Mr. Bush’s funeral could also affect plans for a spending bill. Congressional leaders have been discussing the possibility of a one-week spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown when seven spending bills expire next weekend, according to people familiar with the discussions. While leaders haven’t yet made a decision, a short-term spending patch appears more likely in the face of Mr. Bush’s funeral proceedings, which prompted leaders to reconfigure the schedules for both the House and Senate next week. The former president will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol from Monday until Wednesday morning.